For half a century, the giant neon sign advertising Rolex watches — complete with a functioning clock of its own — has been a fixture on Stettler’s Main Street.
But Wares Jewelers Ltd., the business behind it, will close its doors by year’s end, as owners Derek and Marie Wade begin their retirement.
“We wanted to retire on our terms, before one of us got sick,” Marie Wade said last week. “We really want to travel while we’re healthy.”
The Wades recently announced their plans to close the business, which they will continue to operate until Christmas. The store currently employs six regular staff members and four casual workers.
“There has been a plan in place for a while,” said Marie, “but it wasn’t an easy decision.”
John Ware opened his second-floor jewelry shop above a hardware store on Stettler’s Main Street in 1948. The store’s current home was built in 1950 by Jenkins Groceteria following a devastating fire; Ware bought the building six years later and renovated it.
Placing a dividing wall down the middle of the first floor, Ware set up his shop in one half and leased the other half to The Betty Shoppe. The basement became office space and the upper storey was used as residential space.
The store’s prominent sign was constructed in Calgary and added in 1958, after Ware wrote to Rolex asking for their help with the expense.
In 1981, Ware sold his business to Will and Maxine Rehman, who in turn sold it to Derek Wade and his brothers in 1995. Six years later, Derek and Marie, formerly of Drumheller, took ownership of the store.
Marie said that Stettler has since become the Wades’ home, where they raised their two children, and they have no plans to leave. With the difficulty of selling a jewelry business and its inventory together, the Wades have opted to close the store.
It’s been a bittersweet time for the owners, as the store was also recognized last month for the creative displays that have graced its front windows.
Wares Jewelers Ltd. was named the recipient of the Marketing Award during the Stettler Business and Citizenship Awards, presented at the Stettler Community Hall in October.
However, neither of the Wades was present to accept the award. Marie said that with the work needed to organize the store’s closure, they were too busy to attend.
“We were thrilled to be honoured that way,” she said. “There’s a lot of businesses in this town doing really positive things . . .To be singled out was a great honour.”
Marie said the future of the store’s neon sign is in question, but she hopes it will be preserved, adding that many residents see it as “kind of a landmark.”
She recalled that when the sign was taken down and transported to Red Deer for restoration in 2002, its absence was quickly noticed.
“When we took it down, there was a big kerfuffle,” she said. “We had to reassure people that it was going back up.”
For his part, Derek said he is looking forward to taking it easy this Christmas once the store has finally closed for good.
“We’re going to miss the people that we’ve been dealing with for almost 20 years,” said Marie. “We hope to see them around town.”